US Basketball Team Busts Through Olympic Records

Beats Nigeria 156-73

(Newser)
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The last group in England with this many records was The Beatles: The US men's Olympic basketball team beat Nigeria 156-73 last night in an epic blowout that answered the Americans' detractors, who had earlier criticized their slow starts and outside shooting. "Our guys just couldn't miss," says coach Mike Krzyzewski. They led by 26 in the first quarter, had an Olympic-record 78 points in the first half, and Carmelo Anthony scored 37 points, including 10 of 12 3-pointers, to break the US single-game scoring record in less than three quarters.

Incredibly, they eclipsed the 100-point mark with 5 minutes still left in the third. They broke the Olympic record for most points in a game (138 points, set by Brazil against Egypt in 1988) with 4:37 still to play, and set US records for 3-pointers (26), field goals (59), and field-goal percentage (71). The Americans even one-upped the 1992 Dream Team: The 83-point margin of victory was the largest in US national team history, eclipsing the 79-point spread when Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Co. beat Cuba 136-57 in their first game. The Americans have won their first three games with ease, but things are expected to get a lot tougher as they approach next week's medal round.

USA's Carmelo Anthony laughs after hitting a 3-pointer against Nigeria during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.
(Charles Krupa)

Russell Westbrook (7) of the United States shoots against Richard Oruche (11) of Nigeria during their men's basketball preliminary round match at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.
(Christian Petersen)

United States players James Harden (12) and Kevin Durant celebrate a basket during a men's basketball game against Nigeria at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.
(Charlie Riedel)

LeBron James (6) of the United States shoots against Nigeria during a men's basketball preliminary round match at the 2012 Summer Olympics on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.
(Christian Petersen)

USA's Kevin Love raises his arms as he celebrates after a 3-pointer by teammate Carmelo Anthony during a men's basketball game against Nigeria at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.
(Charles Krupa)

US players from left, Chris Paul, Labron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, and Russell Westbrook sit on the bench during the game against Nigeria at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Aug. 2, 2012.
(Charlie Riedel)

United States' Tyson Chandler, right, tries to block a pass by Nigeria's Ejike Ugboaja during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.
(Charlie Riedel)

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